Christiansburg Town Council began Tuesday's meeting with Vice Mayor Ann Carter presiding over three Public Hearings.
The first hearing was for a rezoning request by Hash Investment for property between Roanoke and Prospect Drive. The parcel is currently zoned agricultural and "is an island" surrounded by properties zoned as business or industrial.
The next two hearings were interrelated requests submitted by F&B Land for property recently added to the town's corporate limits near the Christiansburg Middle School. The applicant was seeking rezoning from agricultural to single family residential and a conditional use permit for one bedroom rental units restricted for people aged 62 or older.
David Powell of Westview Drive stated that regardless of what the developer was proffering, construction traffic was moving through established residential areas via Harkrader Street. He asked whether the town had any way of controlling or enforcing proffers, and asked Council to assure the same theme presented when the land was originally rezoned by the County for residential development.
County resident Michael Miller echoed these concerns, stating the CUP would allow lower income rentals immediately adjacent to established single family neighborhoods. He asked that lot lines between the proposed development and existing housing be equalized and stated the construction traffic was a "serious issue" he was uncertain Council could address.
Council is expected to vote on these requests during their January 5 meeting.
Architect Glenn Reynolds presented Council with an update on the aquatic center construction, noting the date promised for town staff to access the building had slid back into late February. The contractors were currently negotiating with the bleacher manufacturers due to a significant price increase, with Reynolds stating "You just need to know about this, but it doesn't come back to this table" as regards a cost increase to the town. Reynolds also suggested the video and sound system may provide for "Family Movie Nights" with the audience enjoying the program while floating in inner tubes in the pools.
In other matters, Council accepted the Planning Commission's recommendation to rezone approximately 3.75 acres of land at the end of Melody Drive for 17 single family homes. Several council members said citizen questions about the width of Underwood, stated as being from 21' to 22' wide, had been addressed with the street capable of supporting additional traffic.
A conditional use permit to allow a cell tower at 1840 Palmer Street was referred to the Board of Zoning Appeals because the request did not conform with the town's set-back requirements or other regulations.
Council adopted a Resolution of Support for a Change in Election Dates by a five to one vote, with Councilmember Mike Barber opposed. Mayor Dick Ballengee, who joined the meeting late, stated Council had "taken the position to let the community decide this question, and they overwhelmingly supported this."
The resolution to change the election date to November in odd-years effectively changes the terms of all council members elected in 2008 and 2010. Barber said "I don't agree with changing the date of our elections and I intend to serve until October 31, 2012." He stated he was in the process of seeking legal counsel.
Council received recommendations from the Cemetery Committee which increases costs for plots, and grave opening and closing. The proposed changes align Sunset Cemetery fees at a mid-point for burial services in the New River Valley, according to the committee report. Another changes was that no new plantings on grave sites would be effective upon Council's approval of the new fees, but would not affect present items. "We're not cutting down trees or removing bushes or anything," Councilman Brad Stipes said. No action was taken during the meeting, in order to allow Council time to digest the information and receive public comment. It was noted, however; that no Public Hearing would be scheduled prior to Council voting on this matter.
Council recognized Town Manager R. Lance Terpenny who was featured on the cover of the Virginia Municipal League magazine. Terpenny was recently installed as president of this organization. The Mayor stated "This is only the second time a town manager has been selected by the VML, and the other time it was John Lemley " (the first town manager of Christiansburg).
Henry Showalter, serving as Council's liaison to the Tourism Development Council (TDC), reported that Terpenny was taking a leadership role in renegotiating funding contracts and that a separate 501(c)3 organization was being established. "This will be a complete divorce from the chamber," he stated, noting the former acting chamber president was closely involved in the process.
Due to contractual changes, it is not yet finalized on whether funding will go to this new organization or whether another Request for Proposals will be required to move forward on regional tourism development programs. The new non-profit organization is incorporating as the New River Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau (NRVCVG) with the TDC serving as the governing body. Per the initial contract, the TDC was composed of a liaison from each funding locality (Blacksburg, Christiansburg and Montgomery County), lodging partners and the chamber president.
Council accepted the Peppers Ferry Phase One price increase of approximately $6,000, relative to the state changing the funding formula, and authorized the town manager to execute the required documents. Future phases of this project are not yet funded by the state, so a start date to complete this 20 year old road-widening project remains undetermined. Council was also provided an update on the extension of the Huckleberry Trail from behind the NRV Mall up to Peppers Ferry Road, which is being funded by grants and in-kind donations.
Council adjourned for the 2009 calendar year at 9:16 pm, and will hold its first meeting of 2010 on Tuesday, January 5.